Match box



June 11, 1957 E. G. sHocKLEY l MATCH Box Filed may '25, 1958 8 yR. W UI.. m W Q l W 1/.. 0W W 8 0 W m W m. w 6 ||l W W W z, f. 3 \|.W1h||h./ w. -0- 4 m.. A F.. 8 H.

United States Patent O MATCH BOX Emerson G. Shockley, Detroit, Mich.

Application May 25, 1956, Serial No. 587,261

1 Claim. (Cl. 2116-36) The present invention relate's to new and useful improvements in boxes particularly for safety matches and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for protecting the usual striking or igniting panels or surfaces of such boxes from perspiration, etc.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved match box of the vaforementioned character which will be comparatively 'simple in construction, durable, compact, of light weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently :apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a match box constructed in accordance with the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the box; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a casing of suitable material which is designated generally by reference character 4. The casing 4, which may be of any desired material and dimensions, i-s substantially rectangular in cross-section and open at both ends for the reception of a slidable tray t 5. The tray 5 is for the reception of the matches.

The casing 4 includes ya top 6, a bottom 7 and sides 8, said sides 8 being provided with striking or igniting surfaces 9 of suitable material. Adhesively or otherwise 'secured on the top 6 of the casing 4 is a sheet 10 of the tray 5 in the usual manner.

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paper, light cardboard or other suitable bendable material. The longitudinal marginal portions of the sheet 10 extend beyond the sides 8 of the casing 4 and are folded downwardly in a manner to provide protective flaps or covers 11 for the striking or igniting surfaces 9. This is shown to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawing.

It is thought that the use of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the protective flaps 11 normally overlie the strikring surfaces 9 in abutting engagement -therewith for shielding said surfaces from moisture, etc. To strike a match, as indicated at 12, said match is removed from Either of the flaps 11 is then swung upwardly as :shown in Figure 1 of the drawing for exposing the respective surface 9 for permitting the match to be struck or ignited thereon. When released, the flap 11 immediately returns to lowered or operative position. Any suitable advertising or other matter, as indicated at 13, may be placed on the sheet 10 and the flaps 11.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unn'ecessary. However, since numerous mcdifications land changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A match box of the character described comprising: a rigid, tubular casing of rectangular cross section open at its ends and including a top, a bottom and side walls, striking surfaces on said side walls, a flexible sheet adhesively :secured on said top, said sheet including marginal side portions extending laterally beyond the casing and free thereof, said marginal side portion's being foldable over the striking surfaces for protecting same, and a removable tray slidably mounted in the casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 809,506 Karpen Jan. 9, 1906 1,094,225 Lambert Apr. 21, 1914 1,658,849 Lichtendorf Feb. 14, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 341,083 Germany Sept. 24, 1921 

